Roma defender Rick Karsdorp is set to stay at the Stadio Olimpico this summer despite interest from Southampton, Giallorossi coach Paulo Fonseca has told Football Italia.
A month ago, it felt like only a matter of time before the Dutchman’s ill-fated spell in the Italian capital came to an end.
But things change quickly in football and Karsdorp is suddenly flavour of the month in Rome again.
The £15 million defender, who has been hampered by injury since leaving his native Holland three years ago, started a Serie A fixture for the first time since April 2019 during Sunday’s goalless draw at Hellas Verona.
And, after the game, Fonseca brought an emphatic end to speculation linking his right-back with a move to Southampton (Voetbal International).
“He will play (against Hellas) and he will stay with us because we have faith (in) him,” says the former Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk coach.
“He has done a positive job these last few weeks. He is ready to help the team because he will stay with us this year.”
Voetbal International reported last week that Karsdorp, who spent last season on loan at Feyenoord, had performed a dramatic U-turn on his Roma future after being told he had a role to play by the club’s new American owner, Dan Friedkin.
However, if Southampton’s 5-2 Premier League thumping at the hands of Tottenham is anything to go by, Ralph Hasenhuttl will still be looking to bring in defensive reinforcements before the window closes in a fortnight.
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